Political observers, extremism researchers and Holocaust survivors warn of the dangerous consequences of the rise of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. And recently, the media “Correction” revealed the secret plans of politicians from this party and right-wing extremists to expel the migrants from the country. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is calling for vigilance. The discussion about the possible ban of political parties is also gaining momentum due to the radicalization of the Alternative for Germany.
After years spent in opposition, the party is now reaching for political power. Alternative for Germany can achieve important political successes in 2024, as in addition to the European Parliament elections, numerous provincial and municipal elections are also coming up.
First political power in East Germany
According to polls, Alternative for Germany is currently the number one political force in East Germany. In the small province of Thuringia, it is even preparing to appoint a prime minister – and not just anyone, but a particularly radical representative of its own – Björn Höcke.
Höcke is the chairman of the parliamentary faction of the AzG in the Landtag of Thuringia. The former high school teacher has taken an active part in neo-Nazi marches and gatherings on several occasions. Even his own party members were convinced that years ago he had published texts under a pseudonym that were “extremely close to National Socialism,” as a party leadership document on the case said. Hoeke denied the allegations but refused to sign an affidavit saying he was not the author of the texts in question.
Taboo broken
Because of this, in 2017, Alternative for Germany made an attempt to expel Höcke from the party, but it was unsuccessful. Instead, political power is radicalized in the direction of his views.
Nazi ideology was a taboo subject in Germany for a long time. Since Adolf Hitler’s Nazi rule, any form of ideological or spiritual affinity with National Socialism has been politically condemned and prosecuted by law in Germany. However, a number of functionaries of “Alternative for Germany” do not shy away from expressing such beliefs. And Björn Höcke can be called a “fascist” – reads the evaluation of the Administrative Court in Meiningen from 2019.
It is Höcke who could become the first far-right politician to be elected prime minister of a federal state – in the Thuringian elections in September 2024. This is a post that carries considerable authority. Given the Alternative for Germany’s call for a radical policy change on asylum and immigration, this could have serious consequences.
Hoeke: “We will stop the fight against the right”
In November 2023, Hoeke announced serious measures if elected. “We will stop the fight against the right,” he promised to the cheers of his fellow party members. Hoeke also wants to take action against public-law media. Because of publications critical of Alternative for Germany, the party has been calling for the abolition or reorganization of public radio and television in Germany for years. Inspired by the former US President Donald Trump, AzG relies on the so-called alternative media. It spreads its ideas through its own party channels in social networks.
“Alternative for Germany does not share the general public interest in a functioning parliament,” reads an assessment of the authoritative Constitutional Blog (Verfassungsblog) And further: “The party is fueled by the narrative that the elites must be replaced and that democracy does not work.”
Author: Hans Pfeiffer
Place a rating:
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
2.5
Rating 2.5 out of 22 votes.
2024-01-16 19:50:00
#fascist #prime #minister #German #province
